“You Need to be a Diplomat”: Political Acumen in Policy Practice

Political acumen is a crucial asset for social workers seeking to impact policy, but it largely has been ignored in the social work discourse. This study clarifies the concept of political acumen in social workers’ policy practice efforts by drawing on a qualitative secondary data analysis of interviews with 25 social workers who head local government social services in Israel. Political acumen emerged as a key element in their descriptions of how they impacted local policy, although none of them used this term directly. We maintain that political acumen in the social work context comprises five cognitive–behavioural components: bridging the professional—political divide; reading people and situations; understanding institutions; building alliances; and the ability to convince. The findings of the study can contribute to a better understanding of the importance of political acumen when social workers and managers seek to impact policy. IMPLICATIONS Being familiar with the concept of political acumen and its facets can help advance the success of social workers’ policy work. A discussion of political acumen can serve as a tool for social workers to rethink their own feelings and thoughts with regard to politics in social work practice. Incorporating political acumen into social work education can enhance students’ understanding of how to promote professional goals in political arenas.